22 



like that of grafting, is hemmed in by narrow 

 limits. 



Indeed the laws of hybridizing in the vege- 

 table and in the animal world are similar, 

 though less stringent in the former than in the 

 latter. We must therefore expect to find the 

 seeds of cross-bred plants sometimes sterile, 

 and those of mules or hybrid plants almost 

 always so, or becoming so in the second or 

 third generations. And therefore our two dis- 

 tinct modes of producing seedlings cannot be 

 combined to any great extent, even were it 

 desirable. 



This art of hybridizing has scarcely been 

 known above half a century, and its utility 

 is as yet probably not at all appreciated as it 

 will be hereafter. 



Some of the results which have been and 

 may be produced, are among Flowers, great- 

 er hardihood, change of time of flowering, im- 

 proved odors, increased size, more beautiful 

 colors, &c. among Fruits, and Vegetables, 

 almost every desirable improvement of size, 

 flavor, time of ripening, productiveness, &c. 

 among Timber -trees, more rapid and larger 

 growth, superior toughness and strength, 

 compactness, &c. 



